Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS)
Do you notice what others miss? The HSPS measures sensory-processing sensitivity.
Are you a highly sensitive person? This scale measures sensory-processing sensitivity. 27 items, about 8 minutes.
What Is the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS)?
The HSPS measures sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS) — how deeply you pick up on subtle stimuli in your environment. Aron and Aron (1997) created it after observing that roughly 15-20% of people react more strongly to things like loud noises, bright lights, and other people's moods.
The scale covers three facets:
- Ease of Excitation (EOE) — how easily you get overwhelmed by demands around you
- Aesthetic Sensitivity (AES) — how much you notice and appreciate art, music, nature, and subtle details
- Low Sensory Threshold (LST) — how easily unpleasant sensory input (noise, chaos, bright lights) gets to you
Scoring
All 27 items use a 7-point scale (1=Not at all to 7=Extremely). Total score ranges from 27 to 189. Higher scores = higher sensitivity. No items are reverse-scored.
Interpreting Your Score
- 27-82: Below average sensitivity. Strong stimuli and subtle changes don't bother you much.
- 83-110: Average sensitivity. Around where most people land.
- 111-138: Above average sensitivity. You pick up on things others miss — but you also need more quiet time.
- 139-189: Highly sensitive. About 15-20% of people score here. You process sensory information more deeply, get overwhelmed more easily, and notice nuances most people walk past. It's not a disorder — it's a normal temperament variation with its own trade-offs.
Scoring Guide
Sum scoring. 1-7 per item; 27-189 total. Higher=higher sensory-processing sensitivity. No reverse items. Three subscales: EOE (1,5,6,11,14,16,17,19,20,21,23,24), AES (2,8,10,12,15,22), LST (7,9,13,25,26,27).Result Interpretation
Finish the 27 questions and you get your results straight away — no account, no sign-up, no waiting.
We calculate your total from your answers, then give you a plain-language explanation of what the numbers mean. Whenever possible, we also show how your results compare to population norms.
详细报告 📊
Get an in-depth analysis with dimension breakdowns, population comparisons, and actionable recommendations.